MyCorps
09-09-08, 10:28 AM
This information is for those individuals (Poolee, Marine Friends, Recon wannabes) looking for information on the United States Marine Corps Scout Sniper. This information is free to you to assimilate and use on your goal of becoming one of the Marine Corps best.
Scout Sniper (MOS 0317, formerly 8541) is a specialist in the United States Marine Corps whose mission is to deny the enemy freedom of movement by neutralizing enemy leaders, crew-served weapons operators, radiomen, observers, messengers, and other key personnel with single, well-aimed shots. In addition, scout snipers also provide close reconnaissance and surveillance to the infantry battalion. Scout Snipers attached to Marine infantry battalions fall under the Surveillance and Target Acquisition units, usually a reduced platoon with the headquarters company. Scout/Sniper also refers to a member of a U.S. Army Reconnaissance platoon's sniper section; though unlike the Marine position, this is not a designated MOS but rather a position denoted on the individual unit's MTOE. Scout/Snipers are typically found in the Recon platoon of the infantry Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), or interspersed into Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Target Acquisition (RSTA) squadrons and troops.
Surveillance and Target Acquisition or S.T.A snipers were United States Marine Corps units used primarily for information-gathering. Taking out hard targets and enemy personnel was not their main priority, although it was a secondary option.Typically, each STA team had two members, the team leader equipped with a long-range, specially-made sniper rifle such as the M40 and a high-power spotting scope. The other team member would be equipped with an SASR (Special Application Scoped Rifle), usually in the .50 caliber class such as the M82A1, to give commanders the option of taking out heavy equipment or heavily armored targets. This type of team could be effective at a range of up to 1.25 miles if the environment was right. They would be part of a Scout Sniper Platoon (SSP) that would have 8-10 of these teams, some of which would be specially suited for night operations and fully capable of operating in complete darkness through use of specially made night vision scopes and infrared laser equipment.
The United States Marine Corps has officially phased out the name "Surveillance and Target Acquisition," and now uses the more generic phrase "Scout Sniper Platoon."
Anthony Swofford's experiences as an STA sniper are recounted in his book, Jarhead, and the 2005 film of the same name. Swafford was a Marine that is not to be looked upon with admiration. He had a bad attitude, some much disregard for his fellow Marine and simply could not make the Marine Corps a career. The movie is just that, a Hollywood production with very little resemblance to real world applications
THE FOLLOWING PREREQUISITES MUST BE MET BY THE REPORTING MARINE OR HE WILL BE RETURNED TO HIS UNIT:
1. Lance Corporal through Captain.
2. Infantry MOS or MOS 0203.
3. Vision correctable to 20/20 in both eyes. Color blindness is discouraged.
4. Serving in or designated for assignment to a Scout Sniper billet.
5. Minimum of 12 months remaining on current contract upon completion of course (Does not apply to reservist)
6. Must score a First Class PFT on course convene date.
7. Current rifle Expert. Must have qualified in the last fiscal year. [/font]
(Reservist can have a score three years old, but must be current Expert)
8. No courts martials or NJP within the last six months.
9. Minimum GT of 100.
10. No history of mental illness.
11. Must be a volunteer.
12. It is HIGHLY recommended, but not required, for the student to have completed the following MCI courses: Land Navigation, Patrolling, Calling and Adjusting Supporting Arms, and Reconnaissance Marine. It is also recommended but not required that the student have conducted basic Scout Sniper field skills: stalks, consealment, field sketches, range cards, range estimations, and firing of the M-40A1 prior to attending the course. Students should also posses a high degree of maturity, equanimity, and common sense.
13. Bottom line: the best, most experienced infantry you can send.
Marine Corps PFT: For a perfect score: 3 mile run in 18 minutes, 20 deadhang pull-ups(No Swinging), 100 sit-up/crunchs under two minutes. Swim Qual: 500 meter swim using side or breast stroke, 50 meter swim holding a weight out of water, tread water for 30 seconds holding a weight out of water, no signs of panic.
Two of the better ways of becoming a Scout/Sniper are through a Recon unit or an Infantry Battalion. First join the Marine Corps with an Infantry MOS. While in Boot Camp you will need to shoot Expert on the rifle range, become at least a second class swimmer and score a high first class PFT. Upon completion of Infantry training you will be given the opportunity to volunteer for Recon or Force Recon. If you successfully complete their indoc you will be sent to a Recon unit where you will first qualify as a Recon Marine then given the opportunity to volunteer for Scout/Sniper School. BN Recon and Force Recon have school seats assigned to them for every S/S School.
The following are 2 excellent web links that have a wealth of information of what you have to do now to get a chance at becoming a Scout Sniper;
http://usmcscoutsniper.org/
http://www.scribd.com/doc/2516243/US-Marine-Corps-Sniper-Manual-FMFM-13B
Scout Sniper (MOS 0317, formerly 8541) is a specialist in the United States Marine Corps whose mission is to deny the enemy freedom of movement by neutralizing enemy leaders, crew-served weapons operators, radiomen, observers, messengers, and other key personnel with single, well-aimed shots. In addition, scout snipers also provide close reconnaissance and surveillance to the infantry battalion. Scout Snipers attached to Marine infantry battalions fall under the Surveillance and Target Acquisition units, usually a reduced platoon with the headquarters company. Scout/Sniper also refers to a member of a U.S. Army Reconnaissance platoon's sniper section; though unlike the Marine position, this is not a designated MOS but rather a position denoted on the individual unit's MTOE. Scout/Snipers are typically found in the Recon platoon of the infantry Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), or interspersed into Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Target Acquisition (RSTA) squadrons and troops.
Surveillance and Target Acquisition or S.T.A snipers were United States Marine Corps units used primarily for information-gathering. Taking out hard targets and enemy personnel was not their main priority, although it was a secondary option.Typically, each STA team had two members, the team leader equipped with a long-range, specially-made sniper rifle such as the M40 and a high-power spotting scope. The other team member would be equipped with an SASR (Special Application Scoped Rifle), usually in the .50 caliber class such as the M82A1, to give commanders the option of taking out heavy equipment or heavily armored targets. This type of team could be effective at a range of up to 1.25 miles if the environment was right. They would be part of a Scout Sniper Platoon (SSP) that would have 8-10 of these teams, some of which would be specially suited for night operations and fully capable of operating in complete darkness through use of specially made night vision scopes and infrared laser equipment.
The United States Marine Corps has officially phased out the name "Surveillance and Target Acquisition," and now uses the more generic phrase "Scout Sniper Platoon."
Anthony Swofford's experiences as an STA sniper are recounted in his book, Jarhead, and the 2005 film of the same name. Swafford was a Marine that is not to be looked upon with admiration. He had a bad attitude, some much disregard for his fellow Marine and simply could not make the Marine Corps a career. The movie is just that, a Hollywood production with very little resemblance to real world applications
THE FOLLOWING PREREQUISITES MUST BE MET BY THE REPORTING MARINE OR HE WILL BE RETURNED TO HIS UNIT:
1. Lance Corporal through Captain.
2. Infantry MOS or MOS 0203.
3. Vision correctable to 20/20 in both eyes. Color blindness is discouraged.
4. Serving in or designated for assignment to a Scout Sniper billet.
5. Minimum of 12 months remaining on current contract upon completion of course (Does not apply to reservist)
6. Must score a First Class PFT on course convene date.
7. Current rifle Expert. Must have qualified in the last fiscal year. [/font]
(Reservist can have a score three years old, but must be current Expert)
8. No courts martials or NJP within the last six months.
9. Minimum GT of 100.
10. No history of mental illness.
11. Must be a volunteer.
12. It is HIGHLY recommended, but not required, for the student to have completed the following MCI courses: Land Navigation, Patrolling, Calling and Adjusting Supporting Arms, and Reconnaissance Marine. It is also recommended but not required that the student have conducted basic Scout Sniper field skills: stalks, consealment, field sketches, range cards, range estimations, and firing of the M-40A1 prior to attending the course. Students should also posses a high degree of maturity, equanimity, and common sense.
13. Bottom line: the best, most experienced infantry you can send.
Marine Corps PFT: For a perfect score: 3 mile run in 18 minutes, 20 deadhang pull-ups(No Swinging), 100 sit-up/crunchs under two minutes. Swim Qual: 500 meter swim using side or breast stroke, 50 meter swim holding a weight out of water, tread water for 30 seconds holding a weight out of water, no signs of panic.
Two of the better ways of becoming a Scout/Sniper are through a Recon unit or an Infantry Battalion. First join the Marine Corps with an Infantry MOS. While in Boot Camp you will need to shoot Expert on the rifle range, become at least a second class swimmer and score a high first class PFT. Upon completion of Infantry training you will be given the opportunity to volunteer for Recon or Force Recon. If you successfully complete their indoc you will be sent to a Recon unit where you will first qualify as a Recon Marine then given the opportunity to volunteer for Scout/Sniper School. BN Recon and Force Recon have school seats assigned to them for every S/S School.
The following are 2 excellent web links that have a wealth of information of what you have to do now to get a chance at becoming a Scout Sniper;
http://usmcscoutsniper.org/
http://www.scribd.com/doc/2516243/US-Marine-Corps-Sniper-Manual-FMFM-13B